Palm pistol

ABSTRACT

A form-factor for a palm pistol which reduces recoil movement and engages natural point of aim has a body for receiving and containing pistol action, a finger grip disposed on a top side of the body, a thumb grip disposed on a bottom side of the body, and a metacarpals grip disposed on a back of the body such that a bore axis of a barrel in the pistol action forms an angle with the metacarpals grip between 0° and 90°. This form-factor provides palm-forward, knuckles-up grip that aligns the barrel with the operator&#39;s forearm bones, thus distributing the rearward recoil force directly in-line with the forearm bones, thereby reducing recoil movement, and utilizing natural point of aim of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to ergonomic designs for firearms.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Pistols are generally provided in the shape of a rotated “L” shape, with a grip portion extending downward and a barrel and action portion extending essentially horizontally. To hold and fire the pistol, one places the grip into the palm of the hand, and wraps 2 or more fingers (e.g. middle finger, ring finger and little finger) and the thumb around the grip portion. The index finger, also referred to as the pointer finger, is used to actuate a trigger to fire the pistol.

This arrangement produces a motion of the muzzle of the barrel in an upward direction due to the bore axis of the barrel being located above the hand when the pistol is fired. This “recoil” movement detracts from the ability to make a second shot immediately following the first shot, instead, requiring the user to return the pistol to its aimed position prior to taking the next shot.

Many attempts to compensate for this recoil have been made, with limited success. For example, some pistols have “ports” at the 10:00 and 2:00 positions towards the muzzle end of the barrel. As the bullet passes the ports, some amount of expanding gas is allowed to escape from these ports, producing a downward force on the end of the barrel. This arrangement, however, can be problematic for low-light shooting, as the flash can temporarily reduce the operator's ability to see.

Another attempt to solve this problem is to add a mechanical handle of some sort to allow the operator to hold the front half of the pistol from rising. For example, a forearm handle descending from an accessory rail under the barrel allows the operator to use a second hand to hold the front of the pistol from rising. This, however, has the disadvantage of requiring two-handed operation. Similarly, some trigger guards on some pistols are provided with a knurl on the front edge of the trigger guard to receive the index finger of the non-firing hand (i.e., off hand or weak hand). As the pistol begins to rise during recoil, this off-hand index finger can provide a mechanical resistance to the rising motion, thereby reducing recoil motion. The disadvantage of this arrangement is also that it requires two-handed firing.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A form-factor for a palm pistol which reduces recoil movement and engages natural point of aim has a body for receiving and containing pistol action, a finger grip disposed on a top side of the body, a thumb grip disposed on a bottom side of the body, and a metacarpals grip disposed on a back of the body such that a bore axis of a barrel in the pistol action forms an angle with the metacarpals grip between 0° and 90°. This form-factor provides palm-forward, knuckles-up grip that aligns the barrel with the operator's forearm bones, thus distributing the rearward recoil force directly in-line with the forearm bones, thereby reducing recoil movement, and utilizing natural point of aim of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description set forth herein is illustrated by the several drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view (a), a thumb-side view (b), and a bottom view (c) of one exemplary embodiment of a palm pistol form-factor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a variation embodiment of exemplary embodiment of a palm pistol form-factor according to the present invention in which the pistol action can be rotated within an outer body to adjust for the operator's preferred hand position and to optimize for recoil alignment with the operator's hand and forearm.

FIG. 3 shows the grip and kinesiological alignment of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary fire controls of at least one embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has realized that the rotated “L” form-factor of most pistols is the primary source of recoil motion, and that previous attempts have merely compensated for the weaknesses inherent in this form-factor, but have not solved the problem. By inventing a new form-factor based on the kinesthetic properties of the human hand and forearm, the present inventor has avoided and thus solved the recoil motion problem of pistol operation.

Basic Kinesiology of the New Form-factor. Therefore, as the design for this form-factor originates with the design of the human hand and forearm, let us begin by referring to FIG. 3 which shows an exemplary embodiment (100) of a palm pistol which is gripped with the hand knuckles in an essentially horizontal position, not vertical position as with the standard rotated “L” shaped form-factor of known pistols. By having the thumb gripping the bottom of the pistol as shown with the finger knuckles on top, any rise in the pistol due to recoil can be countered by the gripping hand without requiring a second hand. This is a first improvement to the overall recoil problem realized by embodiments according to the present invention.

Further, in more refined embodiments, the bore axis (201) is aligned with the Radius bone of the operator's forearm, and preferably with the Ulna as well. In this position, the backward impulse of force from the pistol caused by ignition of the projectile propellant is received in line longitudinally with the operator's forearm bones, thereby reducing or eliminating any rotating moment force that would be converted into a rise in the muzzle of the pistol by pivoting the wrist, as with rotated “L” shaped pistols. This is a second improvement to the overall recoil performance, realized by some embodiments according to the present invention.

We will return to discussing to FIG. 3 after the mechanical form-factor has been disclosed in further detail in order to fully disclose the manner of use of a pistol having a form-factor according to the present invention.

Palm Pistol Form-factor Example. Referring now to FIG. 1, a front view (a) of one embodiment of palm pistol (100) is shown, which includes a barrel (101) with a muzzle (102) from which a projectile emerges during firing. On the upper surface of the pistol are a number of knurls (105, 106, 107, and 108) preferably separated by one or more knurl dividers (301, 302). On the bottom side of the example form-factor is a thumb knurl (109). Towards the thumb end of the form-factor are preferably provided an upper tang (104) and lower tang (104′). Such a grip enhances the ability to find and position the pistol blindly using tactile feedback only, and enhances retention of the pistol in adverse conditions such as wet environments or during close quarters combat. In some embodiments, however, this knurling may be minimized or eliminated in favor of a textured grip area.

Viewing this example embodiment from the thumb end (b), a magazine well opening (103) may be provided to receive a magazine or, in some embodiments, a single round of ammunition. Viewing this example embodiment from the bottom (c), we can see an example contour of the front side of the pistol having extensions of the finger knurls (104-108) for receiving the tips of the operator's fingers, as well as an optional ejection port (110) for some auto-loader embodiments. Single-shot and manual-load embodiments may eject a spent casing from the thumb-side opening (103), similarly to a bolt action rifle.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a particularly effective embodiment option according to the invention is shown, in which the action portion of the pistol, such as the chambering, auto-loading, and barrel, are rotatably (203) received into the body (100) of the pistol. This rotation allows the operator to adjust the angle a between the bore axis (201) and the metacarpals in the user's hand such that, when the user holds the pistol in a preferred position, the bore axis aligns with the operator's Radius forearm bone. In this position, the operator's phalanges wrap across the top of the pistol, preferably settling into the finger knurls (104-108), and the operator's thumb wraps around the bottom of the pistol, preferably settling into the thumb knurl (109).

This gripping action then produces the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 and previously described for its kinesiological advantages of distributing the impulse force from the firing action directly and in-line down the operator's Radius bone. Some operators may prefer to have their metacarpals in a position tilted further forward, and for them, the action would be rotated to decrease the angle a between the bore axis (201) and the metacarpals in the user's hand, such that the barrel is rotated to point further towards the upper tang (104). Other operators, however, may wish to have their metacarpals more upright, so the action would be rotated to increase the angle a between the bore axis (201) and the metacarpals in the user's hand such that the barrel is pointed more towards orthogonal to a line formed from the upper tang (104) to the lower tang (104′) (e.g. the angle a may be set to a value approaching 90°). An angle α of approximately 40° will be suitable for many operators, however, α angles of as little as 0° (metacarpals level and aligned with the Radius bone) and as great as 90° may be suitable for some operators and some mission profiles.

Turning to FIG. 4, an exemplary arrangement of fire controls is shown, but other arrangements are contemplated within the scope of the present invention as will be realized by those ordinarily skilled in the art. In this arrangement, a safe/fire rotating switch is disposed on the front of the pistol near at the terminus of the thumb knurl (109) such that it can be operated by the thumb of the operator. A first trigger T₁ and optionally a second trigger T₂ may be provided as a push button within one or more finger knurls (105, 107), such that the depression of one (or both) triggers while the switch is in the fire position releases a sear and causes a round of ammunition to be fired out the muzzle.

To further enhance safety and retention of the pistol, one or more finger guards (400) in the form of a loop or rail may be configured, such as along the top side of the pistol as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, this finger guard may double as a fist-fighting aid for use during close quarters combat.

Additional features to a pistol having a form-factor according to the present invention may include:

-   -   (a) an accessory rail, such as a “Picatinny”, Military Standard         1913, or STANAG 4694 (North American Treaty Organization)         standard rail, may be fitted to the pistol to receive flash         lights, laser aiming devices, handles, etc., along any of the         sides of the pistol;     -   (b) a “metallic” aiming sight may be fitted to rise above the         knuckles of the user; and     -   (c) an extended capacity magazine may be received into the         magazine well such that it extends well beyond the tangs and         forms a handle for a second hand to grip.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments do not define the limits of the invention, whereas the following claims define the spirit and scope of the present invention including variations and alternatives.

Conclusion. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment(s) was/were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that the foregoing example embodiments do not define the extent or scope of the present invention, but instead are provided as illustrations of how to make and use at least one embodiment of the invention. The following claims define the extent and scope of at least one invention disclosed herein. 

1. A palm pistol comprising: a pistol action including a chamber and barrel; a body for receiving and containing the pistol action; a finger phalanges grip disposed on a top side of the body; a thumb phalange grip disposed on a bottom side of the body, wherein the bottom side is diametrically positioned relative to the top side; and a fingers metacarpus grip disposed on a back of the body, wherein the back of the body extends as a plane from the top side and the bottom side, such that a bore axis of the barrel forms an angle with the fingers metacarpus grip of greater than 30° and up to and including 90°.
 2. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pistol action is rotatably contained within the body, thereby allowing adjustment of the formed angle between the fingers metacarpus grip and the bore axis.
 3. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 wherein the formed angle is 40°.
 4. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one tang extending from an end of the body defined by an index finger phalange knurl on the top side and a thumb phalange grip on the bottom side.
 5. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a magazine well formed in an end of the body defined by an index finger phalange knurl on the top side and the thumb finger phalange grip on the bottom side.
 6. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 wherein the finger phalanges grip comprises one or more knurl depressions in the body.
 7. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thumb phalange grip comprises a knurl depression in the body.
 8. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an ejection port formed towards the bottom side of the body. 9-10. (canceled)
 11. A palm pistol housing comprising: a body having a space formed within for receiving and containing a pistol action and a barrel ; a finger phalanges grip disposed on a top side of the body; a thumb phalange grip disposed on a bottom side of the body, wherein the bottom side is diametrically positioned relative to the top side; and a fingers metacarpus grip disposed on a back of the body, wherein the back of the body extends as a plane from the top side and the bottom side, such that a pistol action is positionable with a barrel bore axis forming an angle with the fingers metacarpus grip of greater than 30° and up to and including 90°.
 12. The palm pistol housing as set forth in claim 11 wherein space in the body in configured to rotatably receive and contain a pistol action, thereby allowing adjustment of the formed angle between the fingers metacarpus grip and the bore axis.
 13. The palm pistol housing as set forth in claim 11 wherein the formed angle is 40°.
 14. The palm pistol housing as set forth in claim 11 further comprising at least one tang extending from an end of the body defined by an index finger phalange knurl on the top side and a thumb phalange grip on the bottom side.
 15. The palm pistol housing as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a magazine well formed in an end of the body defined by an index finger phalange knurl on the top side and the thumb finger phalange grip on the bottom side.
 16. The palm pistol housing as set forth in claim 11 wherein the finger phalanges grip comprises one or more knurl depressions in the body.
 17. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 11 wherein the thumb phalange grip comprises a knurl depression in the body.
 18. The palm pistol as set forth in claim 11 further comprising an ejection port formed towards the bottom side of the body. 